New York grants $20m for water research centre

New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has announced $20m funding for Onondaga Community College (OCC) and the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF) for the SUNY Water Research and Education Center at Onondaga Lake.

The project is one of five innovative economic development projects in the state, which have received $55m under the NYSUNY 2020 Challenge Grant Programme.

Under the programme, changes in the lake ecosystems will be monitored by scientists from SUNY-ESF, the Upstate Freshwater Institute and the Onondaga Environmental Institute.

In partnership with the Great Lakes Research Consortium, researchers will study robotic water-quality monitoring, lake restoration and water-quality sensor design.

Governor Cuomo said: "We launched the NYSUNY 2020 programme to support advanced research opportunities and tap into this potential for growth, and the five projects receiving funding today are an example of how this strategy is creating new opportunities across the state."

The SUNY Water Research and Education Center is in Syracuse’s Inner Harbor, and is expected to bring research, educational opportunity, tourism and sustainable development to the shores of the Onondaga Lake.

OCC president Casey Crabill said: "The $20m grant will strengthen OCC’s capacity to integrate education, research and community and economic development for the benefit of our students, employers and the community.

"This includes expanding opportunities for students enrolled in STEM degree programmes, such as hands-on fieldwork, internships and research opportunities, and the development of new courses and programmes focused on science, math and the environment.

"In addition, the college looks to the Center to serve local employers and workers by extending our reach in workforce development and non-credit certification and training programmes."